'What is happening in Kerala?' HC slams Mani's comments

The HC condemned MM Mani's statements and stated it was of serious nature Mani has reiterated that he would not change his style of saying things

The Kerala High Court hit out against the state government and power minister MM Mani on Friday after the controversial comments he made against members of Pemibilai Orumai in Idukki last week.

The HC condemned Mani's statements and stated it was of serious nature. The court also sought an explanation from both Idukki district and state police chiefs. "What's happening in Kerala? Isn't the state police chief aware of the incident?" the HC asked the state government.

The government informed the court that Mani did not make any derogatory remarks against women and claimed the minister was talking about journalists.

The HC then asked the government whether it thought it was fine to make such statements against scribes. The court also ordered the police to submit the video recording of the event in which Mani made the derogatory remarks. 

Mani’s recent comments that members of Penbilai Orumai, the women plantation workers collective in Munnar, were engaged in immoral activities while referring to the time they staged a protest a few years ago, had snowballed into a major controversy and drew flak from several quarters.

Meanwhile, Mani has reiterated that he would not change his style of saying things.

“I will not change my style. Congress members need not teach me how to respect women,” the minister stressed.